Sharing a bed with my ileostomy bag
Before my ileostomy, I used to love sleeping on my stomach, now I have to sleep on my left side (opposite side of my stoma). I propp myself up with pillows in front and behind me to prevent me from rolling in either direction. If I didn't, I would role over on my stomach and squash the bag.
Most of the time my body is naturally waking me upp when my pouch is at a certain level of fullness, every two to three hours. But if I ignore it or I'm too tired to get up and empty, my bag will leak and I will wake up in a mess. Some people get leaks from having a liquid output that breaks down the barrier faster or fills up the pouch fast. Other people get leaks from having a thick output that 'pancakes' and doesn't fall to the bottom of the pouch, and instead makes it's way in between your baseplate and skin. In general, the leaks are more likely to happen when you sleep on your stomach or back.
Every morning I wake up to one of three possible scenarios, 1. Full of gas, 2. Full of poo, 3. Mess everywhere (like a ruptured volcano). Very often I wake up to find that my bag has broken during the night and my bed sheets are absolutely soaked and I'm covered in crap. Its a wonderful thing to wake up to, great start to the day.
Many people are fortunate enough to sleep with an Ostomy completely the same as they slept without one, through the night and in whatever position they like, all of our bodies are different. Unfortunately Ostomies aren't all rainbows and sunshine for all of us. Those who don't experience leaks are extremely lucky.
Would be interesting to hear if anyone has any tips or tricks about sleeping with an Ostomy and sleeping on their stomach.
Most of the time my body is naturally waking me upp when my pouch is at a certain level of fullness, every two to three hours. But if I ignore it or I'm too tired to get up and empty, my bag will leak and I will wake up in a mess. Some people get leaks from having a liquid output that breaks down the barrier faster or fills up the pouch fast. Other people get leaks from having a thick output that 'pancakes' and doesn't fall to the bottom of the pouch, and instead makes it's way in between your baseplate and skin. In general, the leaks are more likely to happen when you sleep on your stomach or back.
Every morning I wake up to one of three possible scenarios, 1. Full of gas, 2. Full of poo, 3. Mess everywhere (like a ruptured volcano). Very often I wake up to find that my bag has broken during the night and my bed sheets are absolutely soaked and I'm covered in crap. Its a wonderful thing to wake up to, great start to the day.
Many people are fortunate enough to sleep with an Ostomy completely the same as they slept without one, through the night and in whatever position they like, all of our bodies are different. Unfortunately Ostomies aren't all rainbows and sunshine for all of us. Those who don't experience leaks are extremely lucky.
Would be interesting to hear if anyone has any tips or tricks about sleeping with an Ostomy and sleeping on their stomach.
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